Shepparton to host Australian Under-14 Girls #ClubChamps

BASKETBALL Australia is pleased to announce the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association (GSBA) in Victoria will host the Australian Under-14 Girls Club Championships in 2018.

This announcement follows on from the news that Kilsyth Basketball will host the Under-14 Boys Club Championships at the same time next year.

Located north of Melbourne, the tournament will be held at the Shepparton Sports Stadium which features four basketball courts while currently accommodating Big V and domestic competitions throughout the week.

Basketball Victoria Country general manager David Huxtable said it was a resounding thumbs up in regards to regional Victoria’s ability to host major basketball events, following on from the 2017 Under-20 and Ivor Burge Championships held in Bendigo.

It has been clearly demonstrated that regional Victoria is well placed to host events such as this and the announcement celebrates a great achievement by the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association,” Huxtable said.

“This announcement also recognises the unique partnerships that regional basketball associations develop with their local municipality and could not have been achieved without the support of the Greater City of Shepparton.

“A high priority of the 2017 to 2020 Basketball Victoria Strategic Plan is the promotion of female participation and the Under-14 National Girls Club Championships being held in Victoria will only assist key objectives of that plan.

“It is also expected that the event will highlight the economic benefit of basketball events to the Region and support the ongoing campaign to increase the number of available basketball courts and redevelopment the Shepparton Stadium.”

“GSBA is delighted to be announced as the host of the Under-14 Girls Club Championships,” said GSBA General Manager, Stacey Cole.

“In partnership with the Greater Shepparton City Council, we are excited about this event coming to Shepparton in 2018.

“This event enhances our already strong history of hosting Basketball Victoria, Basketball Victoria Country and Basketball Australia events and the GSBA is looking forward to ensuring that each and every athlete and visitor has an amazing experience in Shepparton.”

It will be the first time Shepparton has hosted an Under-14’s not having hosted an Australian Championship since the Under-16 Championships in 2000.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring the Under-14 Club Championships back to country Victoria and Shepparton in particular,” said Paul Maley, General Manager of Competitions.

“GSBA’s close connection to the Greater Shepparton City Council was a key factor in our decision and something we encourage all our host associations to emulate. These events inject significant revenue into the city during the week and will see upwards of 300 participants attend as well as their friends and family.”

“This event will be held during the October school holidays and will help local businesses, create local jobs and keep our economy strong,” said Mayor Cr Kim O’Keeffe.

“When you add other recent national events, it highlights and enhances our ambition of being recognised as regional Austraila’s sporting capital.”